I take a ridiculous pleasure in what I eat and drink,” so said James Bond in the 1953 literary game-changer, Casino Royale.

Deep within the pages of the classic Ian Fleming novel he also admits: “I never have more than one drink before dinner.

But I do like that one to be large and very strong and very cold and very well-made. I hate small portions of anything, particularly when they taste bad.”

It’s no shocker that England’s most phenomenal spy has a big appetite when it comes to food and drink, just as he does for everything else in life. We know 007 loves fast cars, even faster women and gadgets galore but it’s rare we get an insight into his culinary tastes.

As Spectre, the 24th film in the Bond franchise, hits cinema screens this weekend bars up and down the country are sure to be serving up countless vodka martinis, shaken not stirred of course, as the secret agent’s signature drink becomes a must-have once again.

“The vodka martini, shaken not stirred” catchphrase began on screen with Sean Connery in the 1964 film Goldfinger, but it was around in earlier novels by Fleming. Although you will never hear Roger Moore utter the line in any of his seven films, the legend returned with Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and current Bond Daniel Craig.

Fleming is rumoured to have dreamt up his infamous vodka martini cocktail while sitting in Duke’s Bar in Mayfair, London.

It’s only fitting the latest Bond offering includes its own martini moment when 007 shares a cocktail with French actor Lea Seydoux, who plays Dr Madeleine Swann in the film, opposite Daniel Craig.

The return of 007 to the big screen is also sure to see a resurgence in the trend for Bond-inspired cocktails, Bollinger champagne and other aperitifs that appear in the Bond movies and the original books.

The very first drink Bond orders is in the 1953’s Casino Royale and is an Americano, a mixture of Campari, Cinzano and soda water, and later in the same book he goes on to invent the Vesper, made with Kina Lillet, which he names after his love interest on the mission.

His love for bubbly is also legendary. On many occasions throughout the 007 books James Bond quaffs a bottle of champagne.

In Casino Royale he tells Vesper that Taittinger is “probably the finest champagne in the world”.

Bollinger, however, is also mentioned in several books too, as are Dom Perignon, Veuve Clicquot, Krug and Pommery.

Bond is also accustomed to a tipple of whisky – in fact, in the books this is his real drink, though he actually consumes more bourbon if you are tallying up his alcoholic habits, which he drinks both straight or with water.

But 007 is as much of a foodie as he is a drinker, although it’s fair to say his menu choices are what could be considered elegant and exclusive.

In Casino Royale he drinks a chilled vodka accompanied by lashing of caviar, while in Moonraker he tucks into smoked salmon while dining with M.

But although Bond has acquired tastes and loves to eat, he’s not a food snob. He tucks into scrambled eggs night and day at his Chelsea flat, although he admits breakfast is his favourite meal of the day.

However, he does stipulate that French Maran hens must lay the eggs his Scottish housekeeper whisks up for his breakfast scramble.

Closer to home, James Bond fans can enjoy a themed evening of 007 dining at the Sandbank Restaurant in Leigh tomorrow, with dishes like “Octosoupy” (crab, lobster, octopus and tiger prawn soup), “Qauntom of Shellfish” (prawn & crayfish cocktail salad) and “You Only Cluck Once” (breast of chicken stuffed with mozzarella wrapped in Parma ham in a tomato and basil sauce) to choose from.

There’s also the “the Pie that Loved Me” – that’s steak, celeriac and ale pie, “Licence to Grill” – a grilled snapper fillet, and for dessert themed puddings including “Eaten not Stirred” (Eton Mess verrine topped with raspberry caviar) to get you in the mood with a capital M.

Gary Bultitude, spokesman for the restaurant, in London Road, said: “We’ve had Bondthemed events before and they are always extremely popular.

With the release of Spectre everyone is talking about Bond, so we expect this event to be a brilliant night.

“It’s a chance for fans to dress up as glamorously as they want in tuxedoes and evening dresses and to have a night indulging in their Bond passion.”

And what drinks will be served as diners walk through the door?

“Martinis, of course”, added Gary, “and yes they’ll be shaken, not stirred!”

Visit www.sandbankrestaurant.co.uk for more information.